Bay City Western High School senior killed in single-vehicle crash on Mackinaw Road

Ryon LaLonde in his junior year, from the Bay City Western High School's 2013 yearbook.

KAWKAWLIN TOWNSHIP, MI — A 17-year-old Bay City Western High School senior from the Kawkawlin area is dead following an early morning traffic crash over the weekend.

About 3:15 a.m. on Sunday, June 1, Ryon LaLonde was driving a 2002 GMC pickup truck north on Mackinaw Road between River and Wetters roads, when his vehicle drifted across the center line and continued on the west shoulder for about 160 feet before crashing into a driveway culvert, report troopers from the Michigan State Police Tri-City Post. LaLonde was the only occupant in the vehicle.

An area resident heading to work called 911 at about 5:51 a.m. after noticing the vehicle in a ditch, troopers report.

Troopers and medical personnel responded to the scene at about 5:55 a.m. The latter pronounced LaLonde dead.

Troopers report there is no indication LaLonde attempted to brake and that the collision was severe. Toxicology reports are pending, troopers said, adding alcohol is believed to be a factor in the crash.

Bay City Public Schools Superintendent Doug Newcombe said LaLonde was set to graduate with his classmates at 4 p.m. Sunday, June 8, at the high school, 500 W. Midland Road in Auburn. He said the district's crisis team was at the school Monday morning.

"We have our whole crisis team over there. I was over there this morning. They were set up in the media center. There were students right out of the gate who came down."

Newcombe said he saw many students dressed in camouflage and believes it is some kind of tribute to LaLonde.

"Camo must have been something he liked to wear," said Newcombe. "A lot of students were wearing camo T-shirts. The mood of the school was very down this morning."

Indeed, students on Monday donned camouflage hats, shirts, pants and even boots. As they walked through the halls of the school, some cried and other hugged each other for support.

Newcombe said school officials will continue to work with students, staff and parents as the grieving process continues.

"Obviously, right now, all of our thoughts and prayers are with the family. To have this happen a week before graduation, I can't even begin to form the words," said Newcombe. "We're just trying to help parents and students and staff get through this tragedy. Our heart and thoughts and prayers are with the family."

Judy Cox, principal at Western High School, said the Monday morning announcements at the school included a moment of silence and teachers spent some time speaking with students to let them know that grief counseling is available.

"You can just tell it's a heavy-heart day at Western," Cox said. "You just can."

Cox said she's heard students telling stories today about their classmate.

"Stories I've heard today have been delightful; just the kid who would help anybody, loved to fish, loved snapping turtles, you know, loved camouflage … just one of those nice, good kids.

"You gotta keep telling all those good Ryon stories."

Cox said she plans to meet with LaLonde's parents to discuss whether any special arrangements might be made for Sunday's commencement ceremonies.

At the scene of Sunday's crash, there was significant damage to the driveway culvert at 1364 S. Mackinaw Road, where residents Larry and Linda DeBats and Lori Lee said the crash occurred. Shattered glass was in the ditch, and a few red, artificial flowers were placed on the culvert rocks as a memorial.

The DeBatses and Lee said they did not know LaLonde, but numerous people — many of them teens — showed up at their home within hours of the wreck.

"He was very well liked," Lee said. "he had many, many friends come over. About 9, 9:30 a.m., people started pouring in. He must have been a wonderful person. I've never seen young men cry."

"They wept and hugged when they came to this place," Linda DeBats added, describing the sight of high school-aged people who flocked to their driveway.

"To go from planning a graduation party, from a celebration to such a tragedy as this … " Lee added.

Troopers were assisted at the scene by Kawkawlin Township firefighters, MMR Ambulance and Village Towing.